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PFAS Regulations and Technologies with Brian Liotta
Episode 430
“The winning combination will include not just removal—but real destruction of PFAS.” - Brian Liotta
PFAS: The Invisible Challenge Reshaping Water Treatment
PFAS chemicals are everywhere—from consumer products to our bloodstream. But as regulations tighten, water treatment professionals must now evolve faster than ever. In this episode of Scaling UP! H2O, host Trace Blackmore speaks with Brian Liotta, Director of Marketing and Product Development at USALCO, about the shifting regulatory landscape and the advanced technologies being developed to monitor, remove, and destroy PFAS compounds.
From Industry Curiosity to Regulatory Urgency
Brian candidly shares how he “fell into” the world of PFAS, sparked by client questions and his work with AWT’s Wastewater Subcommittee. Over time, he became one of the industry's clearest voices on how PFAS is transforming everything from chemical manufacturing to compliance practices. In this conversation, Brian breaks down the science, the timeline, and the technologies professionals need to understand—whether they’re manufacturers, consultants, or field engineers.
Testing, Treatment, and Destruction: What's Working and What's Coming
Testing for PFAS isn’t straightforward. Brian outlines why high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry are still standard, despite the lack of affordable, field-ready kits. Then, he walks us through the big three: granular activated carbon, ion exchange, and membrane filtration—explaining how each performs and what their operational limits are. He also introduces lesser-known but emerging strategies like foam fractionation, electrostatic concentration, and supercritical water oxidation—some of which could shape the next generation of end-to-end PFAS solutions.
The Legal Front: EPA Rules, State Action, and the Chevron Doctrine
The conversation turns toward the regulatory environment: from the EPA’s national drinking water standard of 4 parts per trillion to individual state actions in California, Maine, New York, and others. Brian unpacks the implications of the Chevron Doctrine being overturned and why this legal shift may slow federal implementation but accelerate state-led policies.
What It Means for Water Treatment Professionals
Whether you're new to industrial water or managing a large portfolio, Brian delivers a simple but powerful takeaway: understand the regulations, study the technologies, and provide solutions. With PFAS-related services on the rise, the opportunity for technical leadership and business growth is clear—but only for those who do their homework and move early.
Conclusion
PFAS isn’t just a regulatory buzzword—it’s a catalyst for innovation. As Brian notes, the most successful professionals will be those who bridge the gap between evolving science and real-world application. This episode equips you with a deeper understanding of what’s at stake and how to lead your customers through uncertainty with confidence.
Stay engaged, keep learning, and continue scaling up your knowledge!
Timestamps
10:35 – Water You Know with James McDonald
12:52 – Upcoming Events for Water Treatment Professionals
18:06 – Interview with Brian Liotta Director of Marketing & Product Development of USALCO
22:15 — What is PFAS?
26:00 — EPA’s new 4 parts per trillion PFAS drinking water standard and what it means
32:06 — Treatment technologies: GAC, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, and their pros and cons
37:32 — Emerging innovations: foam fractionati
Published on 2 months ago